So, you want to be a Safety Officer
by
Gary W. Burris
The primary job of the Safety Officer is Safety. As obvious as that may seem, it is imperative that the SO pay attention to every detail of the scenario. Here is a list of responsibilities that the SO must deal with every time a shooter steps to the firing line.
1.
The range is clear.
1.1
Tapers have completed their task and moved to a safe area.
1.2
Spectators are safely positioned.
1.3
The scenario is ready (targets in position, movers reset, etc.)
2.
Prepare the shooter
2.1
From this point until the shooter has re-holstered his firearm after completing the Course of Fire, the SO should direct all his attention to the shooter and his firearm.
2.2
Standard commands
2.2.1
Face down range
2.2.2
Load and make ready
2.3
Watch muzzle direction during loading and re-holstering
2.4
It is the shooters responsibility to understand the course of fire but he may ask for clarification.
2.4.1
Answer questions without coaching the shooter.
3.
Shoot the Course of Fire
3.1
It is the responsibility of the SO to position himself so that he does not interfere with the shooter
3.1.1
I like to stand 4 to 6 feet to the rear of the shooters strong side at about a 45 degree angle. Never stand directly behind the shooter.
3.1.2
Sometimes it is necessary to hold the timer close to the shooters ear so he can hear the start signal. Be prepared to quickly move out of the way of his draw.
3.1.3
Give the shooter room to move in scenarios that involve movement. You have plenty of time to catch up to him with the timer.
3.1.4
Rely on your scorekeeper to keep track of correct target engagement and round count. Your responsibility is to watch the shooter and the gun.
3.2
Observe the muzzle direction and that it is safe during engagement and reloads
3.3
Observe the trigger finger is outside the trigger guard if moving but not shooting.
3.4
Insure reloads are IDPA legal and in agreement with the COF
3.5
Watch for proper use of cover.
3.6
SO commands during the COF
3.6.1
Finger – the shooter has his finger inside the trigger guard during movement
3.6.2
Cover – the shooter is more than 50% exposed to a threat target. Some say that the scorekeeper should call cover, but I do not agree with that opinion. The SO is in the best position to observe cover violations and should be the one to give commands to the shooter during the COF.
3.6.3
Stop – something has occurred that requires the shooter to stop.
3.6.3.1
The shooter is not handling his gun safely
3.6.3.2
An unsafe condition exists (person(s) enter into unsafe area).
3.6.3.3
A problem with the scenario has occurred (target down, etc.)
3.6.3.4
A stop command is almost always followed by a DQ except where there is a problem not directly associated with the shooter.
4.
Clear the shooter and the range
4.1
SO commands after the COF is complete
4.1.1
Unload and show clear
4.1.1.1
You may want to say “ If the shooter is through, unload and show clear.”
4.1.1.2
Some experienced shooters tend to rush through the unload & show clear command.
4.1.1.3
Make the shooter show you a clear gun.
4.1.2
Drop your slide, hammer and holster your gun
4.1.2.1
Watch the muzzle and insure that it is kept in a safe direction
4.1.2.2
Make sure the finger is outside the trigger guard during re-holstering
4.1.2.3
Be sure that you are satisfied that the gun is in a safe condition before you declare the range safe.
4.1.3
Range is safe or clear
4.1.3.1
It is safe for the scorekeeper and tapers to move down range to score and tape the targets
5.
Scoring the targets
5.1
Move forward to score the targets after the shooter has completed the course of fire and his firearm is safe in the holster.
5.2
My preference is to call the score for each target to my scorekeeper as I walk through the scenario (T1 - 3 down, T2 - 0 down, T3 – 10 down and failure to neutralize, etc.).
5.3
No targets should be taped until the SO has completed the scoring and is satisfied that no challenge might occur.
5.4
If shots are too close to call, give it to the shooter.
5.5
Some may total the scores up as they walk through but I find that if there is a question and I get distracted that I lose count and have to try to reconstruct the score from the beginning.
6.
Scorekeeper responsibilities
6.1
Safety is also the main responsibility of the scorekeeper.
6.1.1
You should advise the SO if you see an unsafe condition.
6.1.2
This is especially important during the time that the SO is focused on preparing the shooter for the scenario and during the time the SO is making the range safe after the COF is complete.
6.2
During the course of fire
6.2.1
Keep track of the number of shots fired to insure that the shooter has loaded the correct number of rounds as specified in the COF
6.2.2
Watch target engagement
6.2.2.1
As specified in the COF
6.2.2.2
Tactical order/priority
6.2.2.3
Tactical sequence
6.2.3
Reloads occur as specified
6.3
During target scoring
6.3.1
Repeat the score for the targets back to the SO to insure that you heard him correctly.
6.3.2
Write the scores legibly
6.3.3
Initial the score sheet and ask the shooter to initial
7.
Problem resolution
7.1
Interpretation of IDPA and Range rules is the responsibility of the Match Director or his appointed Range Officer(s)
7.2
Shooter questions scoring and or penalty(s) assessed
7.2.1
Listen carefully to the issue raised by the shooter
7.2.2
Explain what rule or procedure was violated or how he was scored
7.2.3
Try to resolve the issue in a polite and efficient manner
7.2.4
If you cannot resolve the issue quickly, defer the shooter to the Match Director and start preparations for the next shooter
8.
Other stuff
8.1
Competitors in major competitions may have expended a lot of money for entry fee, travel, lodging and food in order to attend. Endeavor to make this competition a pleasant experience.
8.2
Don’t give gamers any slack. These folks will push the envelope and this type of behavior is discouraged in the IDPA.
8.3
Don’t be a “Range Nazi” or a “good times Joe,” be professional and polite.
8.4
Be firm, fair and consistent.
8.5
Treat all shooters with respect.
8.6
In major competitions you will have a mixture of competence levels among the shooters. They may be new shooters who just made marksman or semipro shooters in the master class. I tend to be slightly more merciful in scoring for marksmen shooters than I am for master shooters.
8.7
Most scenarios have the shooter start in a natural stance with hands naturally at his sides. Shooters may get so focused that they forget to be natural. A simple reminder will put them at ease.
8.8
Read the IDPA rule book through a couple of times prior to a match just to have the rules fresh in your mind.
Here are the four Laws of Gun Safety that every Safety Officer should know as posted on http://www.IDPA.com
The 1st Law of Gun Safety - The Gun Is Always Loaded!
EVERY TIME you pick up or draw a gun, inspect it in a safe manner, control your muzzle, and always treat it as a loaded gun. You should VISUALLY inspect your gun's chamber every time you pick it up even if you just sat it down moments before. It may seem redundant but establishing good habits may save a tragedy during a moment of "brain-fade". Remove all ammunition and loaded magazines from the immediate area when handling any gun. Also, if you hand someone your gun, VISUALLY show them the empty chamber and accept no less in return! An experienced gun handler would never feel insulted.
The 2nd Law of Gun Safety - Never Point A Gun At Something You're Not Prepared To Destroy!
The best way to handle a gun is to imagine the worst case scenario: Assume your "empty" gun is loaded and that it's going to function PERFECTLY! When you press the trigger it will FIRE! Since you are prepared for that, you should only point the gun in a safe direction - never allowing the muzzle to sweep you or someone else. That way, if "brain-fade" does result in a Negligent Discharge (ND) , it will be into a safe impact area and there won't be a tragedy.
The 3rd Law of Gun Safety - Always Be Sure Of Your Target And What Is Behind It!
Bullets can penetrate lots of things, many of which may surprise you. Identify your target before firing - even before dry-firing. If you are not sure, DON'T FIRE! Just as important, make sure there's a safe impact area behind your target. For home dry-fire practice, find and aim only at a BULLET PROOF BACKSTOP. Even though you have checked and double-checked your gun, you should still treat your gun as though it's loaded and functional. Plasterboard walls and outer walls are not bulletproof. A handgun bullet can easily travel through several rooms before stopping. Who is in these rooms? If you're not sure, and you still aimed in that direction, SHAME ON YOU!
The 4th Law of Gun Safety - Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Your Sights Are On The Target!
KEEP YOUR FINGER OUTSIDE THE TRIGGER GUARD! Almost all Negligent Discharges (ND) are caused by placing the finger on the trigger when you aren't prepared to fire. A finger on the trigger during reloading, during movement, during the draw, holstering, or while clearing a jam have led to several Negligent Discharges (ND). It's difficult to isolate the trigger finger from the muscles required to hold the gun firmly - they all want to contract together. It can be especially difficult under stress and anxiety. Therefore, THE FINGER SHOULD NOT TOUCH THE TRIGGER UNTIL THE INSTANT YOU ARE PREPARED TO FIRE! This holds true even if you find yourself in a legitimate self-defense situation.
A Definitive Guide for the Match Director
by
Gary W. Burris
I will present in this article a few of my thoughts about what the Match Director should know and how he should conduct a match. The Match Director has overall responsibility for a shooting competition. My focus will be on state level IDPA matches but many of my suggestions can be applied just as well to local IDPA club matches.
A Match Director should be a competitive shooter. He needs to be experienced and have several state and national level competitions under his belt. I think it is a good idea that he have experience in all shooting divisions (CDP, ESP SSP and SSR). The Match Director need not be a master level shooter but exposure to multiple divisions will give him an understanding of each different gun type. Also, the more experience he has in sanctioned matches, the better his understanding of how other Match Directors have conducted the competitions.
The match will not happen no matter how experienced the Match Director if he does not have a staff of folks committed to making the competition a success. The staff will consist of 30 - 50 Safety Officers, Scorekeepers and other staff members who enter the scores, keep scenarios supplied with targets & tape, crowd control, etc. etc. Regular meetings should be held to plan the event. I'm not suggesting that the Match Director micro manage everything. I am suggesting that he be involved with the planning. Use experienced Safety Officers in state level sanctioned matches. Local clubs have good Safety Officers, but rarely will the local club have enough for a major competition. Ask if others who plan to compete have experience and want to be considered for Safety Officer duties when they send in their applications. And make sure they have completed the IDPA Safety Officer course. See my article "So You Want to be a Safety Officer" in this edition of the Tactical Shooters Newsletter.
Safety Officers should be assigned specific scenarios to work by the Match Director. He should assign his most experienced Safety Officers for the more difficult scenarios.
The Match Director should review the scenarios that will be used in the match. His experience will help point out any problems that could occur during the match. It is a lot better to make changes prior to the match than to have problems during the match. Scenarios should follow IDPA guidelines for design. Any physical problems with the scenarios, range or setup can be corrected when the staff shoots the match prior to the event.
A welcoming speech by the Match Director is a must. He can set the tone for the entire event in this speech. This is sometimes referred to as a "shooters meeting." It is important to start on time and to keep the speech short and to the point. Here are some points he should cover:
1.
Welcome visitors
2.
Safety
2.1
IDPA safety rules
2.2
Range specific rules
2.3
Safe areas
2.4
First Aid
3.
Event specific information
3.1
Lost brass match (Yes or No)
3.2
Start times
3.3
Scores posting
3.4
Protest procedure
3.5
Off limits areas (scorekeepers)
3.6
Lunch break
3.7
Awards presentation
4.
Sponsors and Vendors
4.1
Name each sponsor or refer to handout
4.2
Identify vendors (if applicable)
5.
Questions and Answers
5.1
Keep this limited to 5 minutes
Once the match in underway the Match Director needs keep in contact with the Safety Officers and other staff to insure that things are running smoothly. The Match Director needs to have a hand held radio for this purpose. He should keep moving between the various shooting bays, safe areas and scorekeepers to see if there are bottlenecks or problems that need to be resolved. Here is where the Match Director earns his keep.
Protests are going to happen. Most can be resolved by the Safety Officer. Assume that the Safety Officer has not been able to settle a difference of opinion with the shooter regarding a rules infraction. Have the scorekeeper set aside the score sheet for the shooter and contact the Match Director. The Safety Officer should then move on to the next shooter and avoid delay of the match. IDPA and Range rules interpretation is the Match Director's responsibility and he will resolve the issue. Safety Officers should know and understand these rules, but being human, they will make mistakes. The Match Director should back his Safety Officers on most judgment calls. And he must be firm, fair and consistent in his rulings.
The Awards Presentation should be made by the Match Director. Here are a few suggestions about how to conduct the Awards Presentation:
1.
Opening remarks
1.1
Thank the sponsors and vendors
1.2
Thank the Safety Officers and other staff
2.
Present the awards
2.1
Suggest that folks who want photographs of the presentation move to the front.
2.2
Start with third place and work towards first place
2.3
Those who will be bumped up in class should bring their classification cards and a special card signing ceremony should be done.
3.
Closing remarks
3.1
Thank all who attended
3.2
Wish them a safe trip back home
4.
Declare the event closed
Sandbagging = Cheating
by
Vincent Zontini
The current classification and match structure allows shooters to compete in classifications below their skill level very easily. Locally this is called "sandbagging" and it has become acceptable behavior in some clubs. When the rule book was drawn up the IDPA organization incorrectly assumed that shooters would want to be accurately classified. The truth of the matter is that many shooters really want trophies no matter how they get them. They have figured out that as long as they stay at the lower classifications they can win more easily. The really interesting thing is that the sandbaggers don't think of this as cheating. The intentional circumvention of the sport's classification system solely to gain an advantage in match standings is cheating plain and simple!
Luckily there is a simple cure for this problem and it can be easily applied at the local club level. Match directors need only to keep tabs on shooters who are reliably shooting at a level above their current classification using local match scores. Once the match director is satisfied that the abilities of that shooter are greater than their current classification they should bump them up to the next level by signing their classification card. Also club members should not allow sandbagging to be acceptable behavior just as they wouldn't allow other forms of cheating. By enforcing the spirit of the classification system we can better the sport as a whole. |
